Cord lock for venetian blinds



April 6, 1954 R. P. MOYER CORD LOCK FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Filed April 24, 1953 INVENTOR. 05597 P 4461 5? Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORD LOCK FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Robert P. Moyer, Sturgis, Mich., assignor to Kirsch Company, Sturgis, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 24, 1953, Serial No. 350,904

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cord locks for Venetian blinds or the like. Heretofore various forms of cord locks have been employed for Venetian blinds using various forms of pulleys and dogs for wedgingly locking the cord and requiring the positioning of the cord in various positions to lock and unlock the blind.

In the present invention such a cord lock is provided which is positive in operation, which is simple to manufacture and operate and which is made up of parts so disposed that when the cord is released after raising the blind it will be carried by the force of gravity normally to a position in which the cord lock tends to become effective and hold the blind in adjusted position.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown a form thereof which is at present preferred since it gives desirable and satisfactory results. It will be understood, however, that the instrumentality of which the invention consists may be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangement and organization of the instrumentality herein shown and described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a cord lock embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the cord lock in cord-locking position, and

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the cord loc ing serrations on the lower face of the upper wallto eliminate slippage when the device moves to locked position.

The looking or wedging roller is carried by a cage which has slots which extend generally radially of the pulley to mount the roller. The cage is pivotally supported between the side walls and is provided with a depending arm through which the depending cord passes. The manipulation "of the cord manipulates the cage and can positively swing the locking-rollemeither to locked position or unlocked position.

' the pulley 5.

The cord lock illustrated in the drawings is blind which has a channeled head member. As shown, the cord lock is mounted on a cross partition member which may be inserted in the channel member to support the cord lock. The cord lock consists of a housing 2 comprising a generally horizontal top wall and downwardlyextending side walls 3 and 4. A double cordguiding pulley 5 is mounted on an axle 6 which extends between the side walls so that the outer peripheral face i of the pulley faces the upper wall 2.

The lift cord is illustrated at 8 trained over the pulley.

The cord wedging or locking roller 9 is of a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall 2 to thecord 8 when it is trained over the pulley 5 so that the roller 9 can wedge between the upper wall 2 and the cord 3, locking it against the pulley 5. serrations Ill are provided on the outer circumferential face of the roller 10 and the roller it is disposed between the walls 3 and t with its outer circumferential ,face' opposed to the outer circumferential face "i of the pulley and to the wall 2.

The lower surface of the wall 2 is provided with serrations i! to engage the serrations ill on the roller 9.

The roller 9 is carried by a cage 52 which is pivotally mounted on the axis of the pulley 6. It has roller-carrying means It consisting of a pair of arms It, each of which is provided with a slot l5 which extends generally radially of An axle l6 mounts the roller 9 for sliding movement toward and away from the pulley 5.

The cage I2 is provided with a depending arm H, which extends below the pulley 5 and is provided at it with a loop to surround the cord 8.

When it is desired to lock the cord and hold the blind in adjusted position, the cord is moved to the vertical position shown in Fig. 2. It engages the arm I! and swings the cage in a generally clockwise direction about the pivot 6 until the roller 9 engages both the cord and the wall 2 to wedgingly lock the cord against the pulley 5.

When it is desired to release the lock, the cord is pulled to the position shown in Fig. 3. Engagement with the arm l'i swings the cage l2 in a counter-clockwise direction, positively disengaging the roller 9 from the wedging, locking position, freeing the cord for movement to adjust the blind.

One of the significant advantages of the use of this look is the positive locking which may be obtained by simply manipulating the cord. The lock is positioned adjacent the end of the blind and the cord hangs down along the side of the window casing. When one wishes to lock the lock, it is only necessary to bring the cord to the vertical position. It is not necessary to swing the cord farther than that in order to obtain locking. This is brought about because the arm 11 is so positioned that it slants from the vertical when the roller 9 is in wedging position, so that its lower end is engaged by the cord 8 so that a straight downward pull on the cord will be effective to give positive movement to the cage. The lower end of the arm H, which is engageable by the outer side of the cord 8, lies substantially under the outer periphery of the pulley 5. It may lie slightly beyond a point directly below the outer periphery of the pulley 5 by an amount substantially equal to the width of the cord and still give eifective action.

By so disposing the parts of the lock, the looking is made positive merely by holding the cord in the vertical position, and the side of the window frame or casing will not interferewith locking. It is not necessary to swing the cord beyond the vertical position to get this. In fact, in some cases the weight of the cord if released will be sufficient to swing the cage tolocking position.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. It is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley pivotally mountedon an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumferential face-of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending. normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said pulley as the vertically-extending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from thetop wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley, said top wall and outer circumferential face of said roller having cooperating antifriction serrations thereon; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls coaxially with said pulley and comprising a generally upwardlyextending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord, said arm having a portion adapted to engage the vertically-extending portion of said cord on the side of said cord opposite said pulley disposed substantially vertically below the outer periphery of said pulley when said cage is in cord-locking position, whereby a vertical pull on said depending portion of said cord will swing said cage to cord-locking position.

2. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley pivotally mounted on an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumferential face of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side Walls on the same side of said pulley as the vertically-extending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls coaxially with said pulley and comprising a generally upwardlyextending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord, said arm having a portion adapted to engage the'verticallyextending portion of said cord on the side of said cord opposite said pulley disposed substantially vertically below the outer periphery of said pulley when said cage is in cord-locking position, whereby a vertical pull on said depending portion of said cord will swing said cage to cord-locking position.

3. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley pivotally mounted on an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumferential face of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced, downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said pulley as the verticallyextending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential-face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley, saidtop wall and outer circumferential face of said roller having cooperating antifriction serrations therei on; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls coaxialy with said pulley and comprising a generally upwardly-extending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion. of said cord. and having means thereonladaptcd to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord.

4. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley pivotally mounted on an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumferential face of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said pulley as the verticallyextending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls coaxially with said pulley and comprising a generally upwardly-extending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord.

5. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley piviotally mounted on an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumferential face of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said pulley as the vertically-extending portion of said cord and. with its outer circumferential face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley; and a cage 'for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls and comprising a generally upwardlyextending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below -.said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord, said arm having a portion adapted to engage the vertically-extending portion of said cord on the side of said cord opposite said pulley disposed substantially vertically below the outer periphery of said pulley when said cage is in cord-locking position, whereby a vertical pull on said depending portion of said cord will swing said cage to cord-locking position.

6. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley pivotally mounted on an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumferential. face of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said pulley as the verticallyextending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley, said top wall and outer circumferential face of mid roller having cooperating antifriction serrations thereon; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls and comprising a generally upwardlyextending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm be manipulated by manipulating said cord.

7. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord-guiding pulley pivotally mounted on an axis extending between said side walls and with the outer circumfer ential face of said pulley facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said pulley and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said pulley as the verticallyextending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential face opposed to the outer circumferential face of said pulley and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said pulley, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said pulley; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls and comprising a generally upwardly-extending roller support having a slot extending radially of said pulley axis and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said pulley and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord.

8. A cord lock for Venetian blindsor the like comprising a housing having a generally horidiameter greater than the distance-from the top wall. to said cord trained over said guide, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said guide, said top wall and outer circumferential face of said roller having cooperating antifriction serrations thereon; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls and comprising a generally upwardly-extending roller support having slanting slots to permit movement of said roller to or from said guide and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said guide and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon. adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by ma nipulating said cord, said arm having a portion adapted to engage the vertically-extending portion of said cord on the side of said cord opposite said guide disposed substantially vertically below the edge of said guide, whereby a vertical pull on said depending portion of said cordwill swing said cage to cord-locking position.

9. A cord lock for Venetian blinds or the like comprising a housing having a generally horizontal top wall and spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord guide extending between said side walls and facing said top wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over saidguide and having a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller disposed between said side walls on the same side of said guide as the vertically-extending portion of said cord and with its outer circumferential face opposed to said guide and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said cord trained over said guide, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top wall and said cord to lock said cord against said guide; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side walls and comprising a generally upwardly-extending roller support having slanting slots to permit movement of said roller to or from said guide and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said guide and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord, said arm K downwardly therefrom; a cord guide extending between said side wallsand': facing saidtopi-wall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a cord trained over said guide and'thaving a portion extending normally vertically, downwardly therefrom; a locking roller:disposed between said side walls on the same sideof said guide as the vertically extending portion of said'cord'andwith its outer circumferential face opposed to said guide and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from the top wall to said 'cord trained over "said guide,'whereby said roller'may be wedged'between'said top wall and said'cord to lock said cord against" said guide, saidtop wall and outer circumferential face of said roller having cooperating antifriction serrations'thereon; and a cage for positively moving said roller to and from wedging position pivotally mounted between said side-walls and'comprising a generally upwardly-extending roller support having slanting slots to permit movement of said-roller to or from said guide and'slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an'opcrating arm extending downwardly below said guide and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord, whereby 'saidarm may be manipulated by manipulating said' cord. 11. A cord lockforVenetian blinds or'the like comprising a housing 'having a generally horizontal top wall and'spaced side walls extending downwardly therefrom; a cord guide extending between said side walls and facing'saidtopwall and spaced downwardly therefrom; a' cord trained over said guide and having a portion extending normally vertically; downwardlytherefrom; a locking roller'disposed between said side walls on the same side of said guide as the vertically-extending portion of said cord .andwith its outer circumferential face opposed to said guide and to said top wall and having a diameter greater than the distance from'the-top' wallto said cord trained over'said guide, whereby said roller may be wedged between said top 'wall and said cord to lock said cord against said-guide; and a cage for positively moving said'roller to and from wedging position'pivotall-y mounted between said sidewalls and comprising-a generally upwardly-extending roller support having slanting slots to permit movement'of 'said roller to or from said guide and slidably receiving an axle for said roller, said cage including an operating arm extending downwardly below said guide and engaging said vertically-extending portion of said cord and having means thereon adapted to embrace said cord; whereby said arm may be manipulated by manipulating said cord.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 828,379 Burbank Aug. 14, 1906 2,031,407 Campbell Fb. 18, 1936 2,091,033 Dodge Aug; 24, 1937 

